The Master's Commission

Last night at church there was an inspirational group called The Master's Commission. They put on a show and boy did they tear the house down. This group of young people were so on fire for God. They were dancing, worshiping, praising and they brought a spirit of joy with them that could be seen on the faces of people of all ages in the church.

The acting was the most heart-wrenching reality smack dab in your face stuff that not only teens struggle with, but anyone who needs to know who Jesus is and why he came to this earth.

The “Master’s Commission, A Generational Call To Character” is not just another church program. It is a “one year, put your life on hold, give everything you have” adventure that will radically change the way you look at the purpose of your life. It is not a reform school or a ministry training school. It is a year to focus entirely upon God and your relationship with Him and allow Him access to every area of your life. It is not for those who want to become better Christians but for those who want to become effective tools in the hand of their God no matter where He calls them. It is for those men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 who earnestly desire to be…….

“Vessels of Honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work”
~ II Timothy 2:21

Monday, April 27, 2009

My bout with the dreaded Vertigo...

This last week I had been majorly slackin' on my blog because I had what they call "Vertigo" or Labrynthitis. It is so annoying. It causes you to feel like your out of control or off balance, dizzy and nauseous. Here is an overview of it.

Vertigo, or dizziness, is a symptom, not a disease. The term vertigo refers to the sensation of spinning or whirling that occurs as a result of a disturbance in balance (equilibrium). It also may be used to describe feelings of dizziness, lightheadedness, faintness, and unsteadiness.

Time again for a little Wiki

Cold cream

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Cold cream is an emulsion of water and certain fats, usually including beeswax and various scent agents, designed to smooth skin and remove makeup. The name derives from the cooling feeling that the cream leaves on the skin. Variations of the product have been used for nearly two-thousand years.

[edit] History

The invention of cold cream is credited to Galen, a physician in Second century Greece.^[1]

GALEN, the celebrated physician of Pergamus, in Asia, but who distinguished himself at Athens, Alexandria, and Rome... was the inventor of that particular unguent, a mixture of grease and water, which is now distinguished as cold cream in perfumery, and as Ceratum Galeni in pharmacy.^[2]

In France, this substance is still known as cérat de Galien ('Galen's Wax'). A copy of the London Dispensatory, edited by Nicholas Culpeper and published in the year 1650 included the following formula for this substance:

Take of white wax four ounces, oyl of roses omphacine a pound; melt in a double vessel, then powr it out into another, by degrees putting in cold water, and often powring it out of one vessel into another, stirring it till it be white ; last of all wash it in rose water, adding a little rose water and rose vineger.^[3]

An 1814 poem credited to "Dr. Russell" gives the following account of the benefits attributed to cold cream in that day:

WHEN a pot of cold cream to Eliza you send,
You with words to this purpose your present commend;
Whoe'er with this cream shall her countenance smear,
All redness and roughness will strait disappear,
And the skin to a wonder be charmingly clear;
If pimples arise, this will take them away;
If the small-pox should mark you, those marks will decay;
If wrinkled through age, or dawbing the face is,
'Twill be smooth in a trice, as the best Venice glass is;
All this and much more, could I spare time to write it,
Or my pen go as fast, as your lips would endite it)
You affirm of your cream: and I would not abuse it,
But pray tell me one thing--Do you yourself use it?

Galen's cold cream was based on beeswax and water, also containing olive oil and rose petals for softness and scent, respectively. Significant differences in formula were established centuries ago. Spermaceti from whales was utilized as far back as 1780, contributing to the severe hunting of these animals.^[1] The 1857 account relates:

The modern formula for cold cream is, however, quite a different thing to that given in the works of Galen, in point of odour and quality, although substantially the same--grease and water. In perfumery there are several kinds of cold cream, distinguished by their odour, such as that of camphor, almond, violet, roses, &c.^[2]

[edit] Modern formulation

Cold cream now replaces the olive oil with mineral oil or other oils, which are slower to spoil, as well as alcohol, glycerin, and lanolin.^[1] Beginning in the 1970s, jojoba oil became a common ingredient.^[1] Another common ingredient in modern cold cream is borax, which is also responsible for the whiteness of cold cream. The most widely sold brand of cold cream in the United States is Pond's.

Over the centuries, new uses have been found for the product: "As a toilet requisite cold cream is used for softening and cooling the skin after sunburn, as a cleansing cream, to relieve harshness of the skin, etc".^[4]

Monday, April 20, 2009

Face Fountain

When it comes to interesting things to see on ones travels, nothing strikes me as being more odd then this little tidbit I found in the heart of the Theatre District of Petaluma. Located between C and D streets just across from Boulevard Cinemas is a quaint little stroll. It is a nice place to take a date or maybe just a walk down the corridor to Powell's for some gelato.

But back to our real reason for being here...the fountain. This has got to be hands down one of the strangest hand crafted fountain I have ever seen. It is better seen in the daylight. The entire outside part of the structure is made with faces that people have made.

I found a couple more pics on flickr that I will post for you to see it's wonderment.

**picture credit for last 2 photos goes to melevision.

Yes!! Even I can lose weight...

I started the beginning of 2009 with a bang.
I know it is a major cliche to do the whole New Years Resolution thing, but that's just it...I never did that. It was just God's timing and the season to do it in. A book that I have been reading is called Love to Eat, Hate to Eat by Elyse Fitzpatrick, who happens to be a christian author.

It gives biblical based reasons on why having a food addiction is hard, but it gives practical Godly solutions on how to break the hold food has on you. Now I'm not saying this book is a cure all. No, I 'm saying that it has given me guidelines on how to better honor God in my eating and by that he blesses me with weightloss.

I am so thankful to have Jesus in my corner. I have now lost 36.5 lbs, but I'm not done yet!!
:)

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Online Opps for WAHM

I want to plug a couple of sites here that are good for you Wahmers like myself to explore when you have some time.

Volition.com is where you can find anything from merchandising jobs to taking paid surveys. I have that one on my faves :)

Then there is WAHM.com where you can find telecommuter job listing, business opportunities and message boards.

Lastly there is FindFocusGroups.com where you can get involved in local focus groups and get paid to participate in market research.

These are just some of the many related sites there are out there to help you, but be careful not to get scammed. Make
sure you research the opportunities yourself before preceding and remember...you should never have to pay for anything that involves at home work. You don't pay to have a job do you? NO! You get PAID to do work so keep it that way :)

Britian REALLY Does Have Talent!

This woman here was seen on a show in the UK called Britains Got Talent recently. Most YouTubers already know this...you damn technology fiends!

Anywho...what I was trying to say is...

This woman is truly inspirational and awesome. She put herself out there and despite what the crowd and judges (including Simon Cowell) thought of her, she made them all awestruck. Jaws dropping and everything!

Susan Boyle you are the true meaning of 'You can't Judge a Book by it's Cover'.

I added the video for you here below so you can watch it in case you haven't gotten the priviledge of seeing this yet...

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Zucchini Lasagna

Zucchini Lasagna

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups zucchini, sliced 1/4 inch thick (about 2 medium)
• 1/2 lb lean ground beef (I use 1 lb.)
• 1/4 cup onion, chopped
• 2 small tomatoes, cut up
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup low fat cottage cheese (or low fat or fat free ricotta)
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (I use 8 oz. divided)
• 1 teaspoon flour

Directions

1. Cook zucchini until tender, drain and set aside. Fry meat and onions until meat is brown and onions are tender; drain fat. Add next 8 ingredients and bring to a boil.

2. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered 10 minutes or until reduced to 2 cups.

3. In small bowl slightly beat egg.

4. Add cottage cheese, half of shredded cheese and flour.

5. In (1 1/2-qt.) baking-roasting pan arrange half of the meat mixture. Top with half of the zucchini and all the cottage cheese mixture. Top with remaining meat and zucchini.

6. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes.

7. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 10 minutes longer.

8. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 4 servings

This recipe is one of my favs on the 'LC thing'


**picture credit goes to Cafe Au Lait on Flickr

Friday, April 17, 2009

Lark Rise

Okay I know I said I was going to do movie reviews, but I have to get a plug here for one of my favorite shows in recent history. Since us here in America cannot see it because we are not Brits I guess...

Anyway, I have come to love this series. It is called Lark Rise to Candleford. It's second season ended last month and to my dismay I will have to wait until fall for their 3rd season.

This series is based on a trilogy written by Flora Thompson whom is shown here below...

Flora Thompson, author of Lark Rise To Candleford, was born in 1876 in Watford Tunnel Cottage in the hamlet of Juniper Hill, near Brackley. Her parents, Albert Timms from Buckingham and Emma Dibber from Ardley, Oxfordshire, married and moved to Juniper Hill where Albert worked as a stonemason. They soon moved to The End House in Juniper Hill, the home to the Timms family (Timmins in the drama series), which they were able to afford as Albert was a craftsman and earned slightly more than the 10 shillings per week paid to agricultural labourers. This was barely enough for the essentials such as rent, food and fuel, and poorer families would often find themselves pawning objects when they were short of cash. Whilst the Timms family were slightly better off than many of the impoverished families in the hamlet, they were far from rich. Flora was the eldest of six surviving children.

In 1903, Flora married John Thompson, and had the first of her three children. John was a sorting clerk at the Post Office in Bournemouth, and it is thought they met while he was temporarily working in Aldershot. They moved to Bournemouth where John worked. Flora began entering writing competitions in the Ladies Companion, a magazine for women with a literary interest. As a married woman, Flora was not permitted to work, but her prize money helped towards school fees for her children. In 1916, John transferred to a post in Liphook, Hampshire. During World War I, Flora once again worked at the Post Office with her husband, and continued writing in her spare time. John was originally from the Isle of Wight, and jumped at the chance for promotion to Dartmouth, Devon in 1927. Flora was reluctant to move, but eventually came to love the surrounding countryside.

Characters & Cast

Candleford

Dorcas Lane

(Julia Sawalha)

Laura Timmins

(Olivia Hallinan)

Thomas Brown

(Mark Heap)

Minnie Mude

(Ruby Benthall)

Pearl Pratt

(Matilda Ziegler)

Ruby Pratt

(Victoria Hamilton)

Miss Ellison

(Sandy McDade)

James Dowland

(Jason Merrells)

Lark Rise

Robert Timmins

(Brendan Coyle)

Emma Timmins

(Claudie Blakley)

Queenie Turrill

(Linda Bassett)

Twister Turrill

(Karl Johnson)

Caroline Arless

(Dawn French)

Alf Arless

(John Dagleish)

The stories are based on her life in retrospect. I think you too will fall in love with Dorcas Lane, Laura Timmins and the whole gang! Check out this great series. You will not be disappointed!! Season one now on DVD and if I'm not mistaken I think you can watch this on youtube. And I found a link for youtube as we speak! http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Lark+Rise+to+Candleford&aq=f

'Wiki Roulette'

There is something new that I learned about Wikipedia that I did not know. I saw on the side that there is an option on the navigation bar for 'Random Article'. That means if I wanted to learn something that I did not choose to learn about, but was interested in playing "Wiki Roulette" I could. So I pressed it and voila out came this article...

Solomon Schonfeld

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Rabbi Dr Solomon Schonfeld

Rabbi Dr Solomon Schonfeld (February 21, 1912 - February 6, 1984) was a British rabbi who is heralded as one of the most remarkable, yet least known of the Holocaust heroes.

Schonfeld studied at the yeshiva in Nitra, Slovakia. In Nitra he became the student and lifelong friend of Rabbi Michoel Ber Weissmandl, who acted as his inspiration in his rescue work.

When the scale of rescue work needed became apparent in the 1930s, he became the executive director of the Chief Rabbi's Religious Emergency Council, formed under the auspices of his father-in-law, Rabbi Joseph H. Hertz in 1938. He personally rescued many thousands of Jews from Nazi forces in Central and Eastern Europe during the years 1938-1948.

He founded the Hasmonean High School in 1944 and the other schools that formed the Jewish Secondary Schools Movement.

In 1933 he became the rabbi of the Adath Yisroel Synagogue in North London, and succeeded his father as principal of the fledgling Jewish Secondary School. He was the Presiding Rabbi of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations and president of the National Council for Jewish Religious Day Schools in Great Britain.

During the Holocaust

Schonfeld personally rescued thousands of Jews. He was a very charismatic, dedicated, innovative and dynamic young man. His rescue efforts were inspired by his teacher at the Nitra Yeshivah, Rabbi Michael Ber Weissmandl. This explains, in part, some of his daring and innovative rescue style. His rescue activities were under auspices of the Chief Rabbi’s Religious Emergency Council, which he created with approval of Chief Rabbi Joseph H. Hertz, his father-in-law. He saved large numbers of Jews with South American protection papers. He single-handedly brought over to England several thousand youngsters, rabbis, teachers, ritual slaughterers and other religious functionaries. Schonfeld provided his "charges" not only with safety but also with kosher homes, Jewish education and jobs. He also initiated two very important rescue initiatives. In late summer 1942 he convinced the Colonial Office to allow Jews to find safe haven in Mauritius. In December 1942 he discussed his ideas about rescue with a number of highly positioned church men and Members of Parliament, and organized Parliament-wide support for a motion that asked the government to make a declaration along the following lines:

"That in view of the massacres and starvation of Jews and others in enemy and enemy-occupied countries, this House asks H. M. Government, following the United Nations Declaration read to both Houses of Parliament on 17th December, 1942, and in consultation with the Dominion Governments and the Government of India, to declare its readiness to find temporary refuge in its own territories or in territories under its control for endangered persons who are able to leave those countries; to appeal to the Governments of countries bordering on enemy and enemy-occupied countries to allow temporary asylum and transit facilities for such persons; to offer to those Governments, so far as practicable, such help as may be needed to facilitate their co-operation; and to invite the other Allied Governments to consider similar action."

Within ten days, two Archbishops, eight Peers, four Bishops, the Episcopate of England and Wales and 48 members of all parties signed the notice of meeting to consider the Motion. Eventually the number of members of Parliament in support of the motion rose to 177.

The above two 1942 initiatives could possibly have saved large numbers of Jews, but regretfully obstruction destroyed these important opportunities. The main reasons for obstruction were petty jealousy and tragic inability to appropriately prioritize the immediate cause of rescue and important but longer-term initiatives which could have waited until after the war. (The Parliamentary motion omitted Palestine as a possible temporary haven and was therefore opposed by a vocal faction.)

Schonfeld considered as one his failures his unsuccessful request to the British government to heed Rabbi Weissmandl’s plea to bomb Auschwitz. After the war he rushed to the liberated continent to serve the spiritual and physical needs of survivors.

The above is based on Dr David Kranzler’s book "Holocaust Hero: Solomon Schonfeld".^[1]

[edit] Family life

Schonfeld was the son of Rabbi Dr Victor Schonfeld, rabbi of the Adath Yisroel Synagogue and founder and principal of what became known as the Avigdor School (posthumously named in his honour). In 1940 he married Judith Hertz, daughter of Chief Rabbi Dr Joseph H. Hertz. He had three sons between 1940 and 1951.

[edit] Death

Schonfeld died in 1984 of a long-term brain tumour.

And after reading about this man's incredible attributes, I was glad to have known I had that option of learning something new. Hence the 'I will learn a new thing everyday' has now been born. I hope you enjoy the article as I did.

Am I seeing things buddy??

I don't know if any of you has seen that new Jack in the Box commercial about there mini sirloin burgers, but it had me laughing so hard. I got the link from youtube. Here it is to refresh your memory...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut0WDb-xzks&feature=related

Watching that made me think about the time I was driving up along Highway 1 to Ft. Bragg, Mendocino & Gualala, which was not so long ago. I had never driven along the coast by myself and I found it rather breathtaking...

BUT!

Little did I know that there would be...

COWS!!! Yes cows along the side of the road. That was the strangest thing for me to see because I am used to seeing cows in their pastures behind fences. These cows were free to wander and eat off the land. I was amazed in a way.

I know that it might sound crazy, but if all your life you were never given a choice of whether you wanted to be free and didn't know you could be free, then just like the cow behind the fence...you would be trapped.

So it is in our own lives. God gives us free will true, but we can only truly be free if we are ultimately following His will. See but unlike the cow we can reason and make the right choices to change the outcome of our lives. See I know I am free because Jesus has made me free indeed.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Is that for real??

I was driving up 101 right past the Smith Ranch Rd/Lucas Valley exit and I casually look out my driver side window. Low and behold I am looking and car that looked like a straight police car was driving past. Okay that isn't very original I know, but I'm getting to that part...

I look on the side of the car and it reads, "PSYCHO PATROL". I had to do a double take because I couldn't believe that. I said to myself, "Self, is that really real?" And self replied, "I have no dang idea haha, but if it is that is hilarious."

My daughter was in the car and I pointed it out to her. We cracked up for at least 5 minutes. I thought to myself maybe that is the car that picks up mental patients that are going to Vacaville or something. When I got in the house, I decided to google this phenomenon and this is what I found...

Psycho Patrol

---

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...n/15055885.htm

Quote:

'Psycho Patrol' flusters drivers
RETIRED COP CAR GETS MAKEOVER, SECOND GLANCES FROM REAL OFFICERS
By Gary Richards
Mercury News

The ``Psycho Patrol'' is on the prowl, a mystery car that has puzzled state troopers from Ohio to California, amused curious South Bay cops and baffled untold San Jose drivers -- for good reason.

Many are certain they're about to get a ticket when the 1995 white Crown Victoria pulls up behind them.

``It looks like a police patrol car with a light bar, 911 info on the side and everything,'' said Doug Walker of San Jose, one of a couple of dozen drivers who have called the Mercury News wanting to know about the vehicle. ``Except it says `Psycho Patrol' on the side. Can this be for real?''

Road scofflaws, relax. It's not what you fear.

The car belongs to Danny Kirby, a gentle 21-year-old San Jose fellow with a scraggly beard whom a friend describes as ``a party in a box.'' Kirby dresses up in a black and red uniform -- think Royal Canadian Mounted Police -- and loves the underground rap group Insane Clown Posse, whose hit songs include ``Beverly Kills'' and ``Cemetery Girl.''

But can this be legal?

Generally, a vehicle cannot have any signs, insignias or other markings that refer to the Department of Motor Vehicles or to any law enforcement or government agency. Nor can it be equipped with forward- or side-facing red lights or sirens.

So the Psycho Patrol passes legal muster.

``There are many private security vehicles that look like a police car,'' said San Jose police Sgt. Todd Carpenter. ``The crime of impersonating a law enforcement officer has more to do with their actions than a vehicle that looks like a police car.''

The story behind the Psycho Patrol began four years ago when Kirby spotted a cop car for sale on eBay. It had been sold by the Oregon state police to a company making a movie in Portland called ``The Hunted,'' a one-star thriller starring Tommy Lee Jones.

``You see my car rolling in the background a couple of times,'' Kirby said. ``It's cool.''

When police sell off cars, everything is usually stripped off. But eBay kept ``Portland Police'' on the side, the big, black crash bumper on the front, two radio antennae on the trunk, the 911 listings, emergency lights in the back window and a computer mount on the dash where Kirby sets his computer.

Never mind the 150,000 miles the car had racked up, the new transmission it needed or the new engine it would require. For $2,900, Danny boy had a real-looking cop car.

But little recognition, until last summer when his favorite rappers held a four-day outdoor concert in Ohio, including a contest by Psychopathic Records to see who had the coolest car.

The result: The Portland Police lettering was replaced by Psycho Patrol, and Kirby and a buddy were off on a three-week, cross-country trip.

The reaction: immediate.

Stopped by the California Highway Patrol for speeding on Interstate 80 near the Nevada border. Stopped by state troopers in Wyoming and Iowa who were pressing to see if he was trying to masquerade as a cop. Maybe six times he was pulled over. ``I lost count after awhile,'' he said.

On the return trip, more adventure: A tire fell off and started a fire, which Kirby put out by grabbing soda cans from a cooler and spraying root beer on the flames.

Towing charge home: $1,000.

Once the car was fixed, Kirby began driving the Psycho Patrol to work at K&K Music on San Carlos Street, where he sells sound and lighting equipment.

He drives the car on errands and to parties, like the one he was headed to on Halloween, following a friend whose car broke down on Samaritan Drive near Union Avenue. Kirby stopped behind the car and soon a real cop pulled up, asking the cop look-alike, ``What is going on here?''

``They'll ask why I have this car,'' said Kirby, who was wearing his Mountie-style uniform and hat, with sunglasses hanging from his shirt pocket. ``I never have a reason other than it's my car that I use every day.''

The cop laughed, sending Kirby on his way.

A deputy sheriff even took a photograph of himself with the Psycho Patrol.

Cady Wallace, a friend, has ridden with Kirby, and when young kids ``driving really fast or goofing off see us, they slow way down,'' she said. ``It's like, `Oh, God.' ''

Said Kirby: ``I could go 40 on the freeway and nobody will pass me.''

Kirby has worked as lighting stage man for local bands, but now he's thinking of a career as a police officer.

``That's one reason I got the car to begin with,'' Kirby said. ``That would be cool.''